Global supply chain program maximises opportunities for Australian small business

• Joint release with Nicolle Flint MP, Member for Boothby

The Morrison Government’s Global Supply Chain Program continues to open up new opportunities for Australian small businesses. 

Thales has partnered with South Australian small business Micro-X on next generation technology that could see airport queues significantly reduced, the Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, said. 

Thales and Micro-X have signed a $10 million agreement to invest in the development of ultra-miniature x-ray systems. 

Minister Price welcomed the announcement for Micro-X, based in Adelaide’s south, and said the agreement was another win for the Morrison Government’s Global Supply Chain Program. 

“This program is helping large defence companies like Thales identify opportunities to engage with innovative, high-tech Australian small businesses,” Minister Price said.

“This increases export competitiveness and adds value to their products and systems.”  

Thales will license Micro-X’s technology in three-dimensional x-ray imaging to develop the Thales high-speed airport checkpoint security system, which could significantly reduce wait times.

Thales’s new system, together with Micro-X’s next generation technology, could increase the number of people processed at airport security checkpoints from 200 per hour to potentially more than 1,000.

“Importantly, it will also create Australian jobs and invest in the South Australian economy,” Minister Price said.

“With 30 employees at the Micro-X headquarters in Tonsley, a partnership like this demonstrates how small businesses in the Australian defence industry continue to produce world-class, innovative defence capabilities.”

Member for Boothby, Nicolle Flint MP said the partnership highlighted the extensive defence capability in South Australia and the opportunities for local businesses. 

“It is fantastic to see local businesses like Micro-X leveraging their innovative technology to partner with Thales Group and maximise the growing opportunities for South Australian-based small and medium businesses in the Australian defence industry,” Ms Flint said. 

“Partnerships like this one deliver highly skilled jobs and investment for South Australians in South Australia and showcases our defence capability on the global stage.”

The Morrison Government is committed to maximising every opportunity for Australian small businesses through our Global Supply Chain Program.

For more information on the Global Supply Chain Program and other industry support programs visit: www.business.gov.au/cdic